Choosing the best coves in Marbella by boat is half of a good day on the water. The stretch of coast running from Puerto Banús to Cabopino hides turquoise inlets, fine sandy seabeds and small bays where you can drop anchor, dive straight in for a swim and enjoy lunch on board with the yacht to yourselves. In this guide we go through it cove by cove: what the anchoring is like, what you will see and the best time of day to arrive, so you make the most of every stop.
Cala del Cristo and Isla de las Palomas (next to Puerto Banús)
Just minutes from the mouth of Puerto Banús, Cala del Cristo and the waters around Isla de las Palomas are the first natural anchorage as you leave the marina. The seabed is mainly sand with a few patches of rock near the little island, and you anchor comfortably in around 3 to 6 metres of water. It is a perfect spot for a quick first swim right after casting off, with clear water and the outline of La Concha mountain behind you. Being so close to the marina, it works beautifully for short two-hour trips or as a warm-up before you carry on along the coast.
Nagüeles and the Golden Mile (in front of Puente Romano)
Opposite the Golden Mile, level with the Puente Romano hotel, the Nagüeles coast offers one of the most elegant anchorages in the bay. Clean sand underneath, a gentle depth of 4 to 7 metres and a privileged view of Marbella's most famous villas and beach clubs. The water is usually calm in the mornings, ideal for swimming and a little snorkelling. It is also one of the best places to end the day: as the afternoon fades, the light over the mountains turns this stretch into the perfect setting for a sunset yacht tour.
Río Real
Past the town of Marbella heading east, the mouth of Río Real opens onto a more open, less crowded strip of coast. The seabed is sandy and clean, with comfortable depths for anchoring close to the shore, and the atmosphere is noticeably calmer than around Puerto Banús. It makes a good mid-route stop on a half-day cruise, when you want to escape the bustle and enjoy a long swim with no boats around. Mid-morning is the most pleasant window, before the westerly breeze picks up.
Las Chapas
The Las Chapas coast is a run of small semi-urban beaches and coves with a very good sandy anchorage. Here the water takes on that green-blue tone so typical of eastern Marbella, and the depth stays gentle, which gives real peace of mind for swimming with the family. It is a stretch that the tourist trips largely overlook, so you will often have the bay almost to yourselves. Ideal to combine with a lunch stop on board around midday.
Artola and Cabopino (dunes and watchtower)
The star anchorage at the eastern end of this route sits at Artola-Cabopino, beside the protected Artola Dunes and the historic watchtower. The seabed is sandy, golden and very clean, with transparent water that on calm days looks like a swimming pool. You anchor off the dunes in about 3 to 5 metres, and the protected landscape, with no buildings crowding the shore, is among the prettiest on the whole Costa del Sol. It is worth arriving before midday to secure a spot and enjoy the water at its clearest. It is also a stretch where you are not unlikely to cross paths with dolphins on the way: if that appeals, take a look at our dolphin watching experience.
Calahonda
Now within Mijas, almost at the far end of the route, Calahonda mixes small sandy coves with the odd rocky stretch that brings the seabed to life. It is the perfect spot for snorkelling: over the shallow rocky patches you will see plenty of marine life and the water is beautifully clear. The skipper should choose the anchorage with care so the anchor sets over sand rather than stone. A corner that rewards those who arrive early, when the sea is mirror-flat.
El Saladillo and Guadalmina (heading west)
If the route runs the other way, past Puerto Banús towards the west, the El Saladillo and Guadalmina stretch offers wide, uncrowded beaches and a very comfortable sandy anchorage. The waters here are calm and open, perfect for a relaxed swim away from the busier zones. It is a great alternative on easterly-wind days, when the eastern side of the bay is choppier and it pays to seek shelter to the west.
Tips for a good anchorage
Anchoring well is not just about dropping the hook: the wind, the type of seabed and the time of day all matter. These pointers will help you get the most from every cove.
Check the wind before choosing a cove
The golden rule is to anchor to leeward, that is, on the stretch of coast sheltered from the day's wind. With an easterly you seek shelter to the west (Saladillo, Guadalmina) and with a westerly it is the other way round. That is why on our charter the skipper decides the anchorage each morning based on the forecast, so the boat sits flat and secure.
Sandy seabed wherever possible
The anchor holds better and more safely over sand than over rock or stone, and it also protects the seabed. Almost every cove on this stretch has good sandy ground; in mixed spots such as Calahonda, picking the exact point makes all the difference.
Choose the hour wisely
Mornings usually bring a flatter sea and emptier coves; mid-afternoon the light is magnificent for a swim and the sunset. In summer, avoid the middle of the day at the most popular anchorages and book ahead, because the best coves fill up. If you are torn on duration, the four-hour half day is the sweet spot for linking two or three coves without rushing.
Ready to anchor in your favourite cove?
We design the route with you and confirm availability in under 2 hours, no obligation.
Book your day on the water →Frequently asked questions
Yes. As it is a 100% private charter aboard the De Antonio D50, you decide the plan. Tell us whether you prefer a quiet swim, snorkelling or a sunset, and the skipper adapts the stops to the day's wind. Rates start from €1,200 for 2 hours, €1,800 for a half day and €3,000 for the full day, with skipper and fuel included.
As long as you like within your trip. Some guests prefer one long stop in a single cove to swim and eat on board, while others link several. On a half-day trip you would typically visit two or three coves at a relaxed pace.
It depends on the length of the trip. You can see the full breakdown in our guide to boat charter prices in Marbella: from €1,200 for 2 hours up to €3,000 for the full day, always with skipper and fuel included and the whole boat for your group.